Why should parents download EVSC's mobile app?

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Staying connected to your child’s school can be easier for parents – especially those who are tech savvy – through a free mobile app for Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. families.

With a new school year starting in less than a month, parents and guardians can download the app for an easy and quick tool to stay updated on what’s happening within the school district.

So, what can the app do for you?

The app allows families to select specific schools to receive information including general news, events, breakfast and lunch menus, bus information, how to volunteer and job openings.

It also features other resources such as a contact section, links to EVSC’s Parent Access portal, which allows parents to see grades and attendance; athletics news; extended day center information; district calendars and short cuts to school websites.

Bonus – the app is free to download for iPhone and Android users.

The EVSC app has been downloaded more than 5,000 times and has about 4,800 active users, according to EVSC Communications Director Sara DeWitt.

"The response to the app has been great. ... The app is a quick way for parents to easily access important information from their student's school and the EVSC," DeWitt, said. "At a district level, we also utilize the app to send out notifications such as when school is closed for snow days."

A 2-year contract renewal with SchoolMessenger, a communications platform, was approved in April by EVSC School Board members. The contract, through June 30, 2020, states SchoolMessenger will provide EVSC websites for all schools and the district, a phone notification system, email monitoring and the mobile app which can be customized by parents.

The EVSC will pay $83,191 annually for the services, according to the contract, funded through the technology department budget. That money covers:

12-month unlimited phone notification service: $27,996.25

CustomApp Renewal: $11,198.50

Content Management System (CMS) and website hosting: $27,996.25

SafeMail email filtering with human monitoring: $16,000

The EVSC launched the district's first mobile app in 2015 to give families another option to get news about their child’s school. When the EVSC was considering the idea of an app, officials said at the time a study showed many parents wanted something to access on their smartphones.

The "new, revamped" app through SchoolMessenger launched in January 2017.

EVSC spokesman Jason Woebkenberg said in 2017 that a study found more than 60 percent of EVSC families use mobile phones to access the Internet.

“Because of that high number we wanted to ensure our families could quickly and easily obtain the information they need in order for them to be involved and engaged in their student’s education,” he said.